''Acacia concinna'' or Shikakai is used in India in a variety of hair-care products. The bark of the plant contains a high level of Saponins which give the extract a foaming and cleansing characteristic. It belongs to the ''Acacia'' genus which has over 1100 members around the world.(AHS Encyclopedia)

''Adansonia digitata'', the baobab, is the most widespread of the Adansonia species on the African continent, found in the hot, dry savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It also grows, having spread secondary to cultivation, in populated areas. In India, the tree is found in hot, dry regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. (Source:Wikipedia,Plants of India)

Neem is a tropical and sub-tropical plant which is highly drought resistant. The plant has several medicinal and commercial applications and finds significance in Hinduism. Neem cultivation also has a role to play in agriculture and pest management.

Calotropis procera is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to North Africa, Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia, and Indochina. It is commonly known as Apple of Sodom, a name derived from the ''Hebrew Tapuah Sdom''.The green globes are hollow but the flesh contains a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into gluey coating resistant to soap. (Source:Wikipedia)

''Catharanthus'' is a genus of eight species, mostly annuals and perennials native to Madagascar. Only ''C. roseus'' is widely cultivated. popular varieties include '''Cooler Series, Pacifica seres,Pacifica Punch,Parasol,Pretty Series and Pretty Series "Pretty in Rose"'''.(Source:AHS Encyclopedia)

Water sprite, Indian fern, Water fern, Oriental waterfern, Water hornfern

''Ceratopteris'' species are aquatic pteridophytic ferns, generally found in tropical regions. They require a warm climate and lots of water. Two species - ''C. pteridoides'' and ''C. thalictroides'' are found in India. ''C. thalictroides'' or watersprite is used as an ornamental plant in aquariums. It is also cultivated as a vegetable for including in salads, due to its several curly leaves.

''Curcuma longa'' or Turmeric is a plant with high medicinal and cultural value in India. The rhizome of the plant has medicinal properties. The dried root is ground into a powder which is used on several religious occasions in Hinduism. India is the largest producer of Turmeric in the world. (Adapted from Wikipedia)

''Hiptage benghalensis'' is a plant native to India and South-East Asia. It forms woody creepers called '''lianas''' and spreads quite rapidly, making thickets and smothering vegetation. Thus, it is considered a weed in many parts of the world. In India, this plant has mythological association with Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. It is also cultivated for its fragrant and beautiful flowers.

The genus ''Isoetes'' consists of more than 130 species. Fourteen endemic species have been described in India. The ranges of most of these species overlap each other, and there's no consensus about their specific limits. This entry, thus, may encompass information about more than one species and inter-species hybrids.

Jasmine is one of the most famous flowers growing in tropical regions. It is a native of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used for ornamental as well as medicinal purposes. According to old Indian texts, a Jasmine flower is the most precious flower of all. Jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan.

''Madhuca longifolia'', commonly known as mahwa or mahua, is an Indian tropical tree found largely in the central and north Indian plains and forests. It is a fast growing tree that grows to approximately 20 meters in height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, and belongs to the family ''Sapotaceae''. It is adapted to arid environments, being a prominent tree in tropical mixed deciduous forests in India in the states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Orissa (Source: Wikipedia)

''Mangifera indica'' or Mango is a very popular fruit in India and all parts of the world. It is famous for its bright yellow color and exquisite taste. The most popular variety of Indian mango is the "Alphonso".It is a crop of great economic importance to India and is cultivated in many parts of the country.

''Marsilea minuta'' is a highly plastic and variable pteridophyte. Other species, namely, ''M. brachycarpa'', ''M. brachypus'', ''M. gracilenta'' and ''M. maheshwari'' also fall within the range of variation and probably are different environmentally induced phenotypes (Cook). All Marsilea species are found in Africa and in India highlighting the fact that India was once upon a time connected to Madagascar.

This species is the national tree of Sri Lanka. The geography of Sri Lanka is quite similar to the South western regions of India. In fact, part of the Western Ghat seems to extend to Sri Lanka. ''Mesua ferrea'' is used in Indian cooking, as a medicine, for its fragrance and in the industry for its wood. Some people have noted the psychedelic effects of the fragrance of Nag Champa. The incense sticks made from the flowers of this plant are popular worldwide for their intense fragrance.

The tree is used in rest of the world for its hard wood. In India, it is also used to make garlands from its fragrant flowers. It finds use in many Ayurvedic products. especially those for oral health. Lord Krishna is said to have played his flute under ''Bakul'' trees attracting young women. The tree is said to flower when sprinkled with nectar from the mouths of beautiful women. (Source: Wikipedia, Flowers of India)

This species is used sometimes as an ornamental plant in India and has a medicinal use. ''Murraya exotica'' is related to ''Murraya koenigii'' or Curry plant, which is used as a spice in Indian foods. ''M. exotica'' leaves, on the other hand, have a citrus flavor.

The Indian Lotus, also known as the Sacred Lotus, is a culturally significant plant in many Asian cultures in general and Indian culture in particular. It is a plant native to the Indian subcontinent, but now is found as an ornamental plant worldwide. The Lotus is considered a symbol of devotion and purity. It is the seat of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The flowers of Lotus have several medicinal properties as per Ayurveda. '''Lotus is also the national flower of India.'''

''Phyllanthus emblica'' or Indian Gooseberry is a species commonly known for its fruit called Amla. The fruit has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C (160 times more than apple) and thus is reputed as a strong antioxidant. Amla finds uses in many medicinal and cosmetic products, especially those for hair such as hair oils and tonics. Amla fruit is used in Indian cooking mainly as pickles or as mouth-freshners. It is also a constituent of the popular '''Dabur Chawanprash'''.

''Rauvolfia serpentina'' or snakewood is a plant native to India. The genus is also called ''Rauwolfia'', but the name ''Rauvolfia'' is the one accepted by the Species 2000 project, an official international species nomenclature agency. ''Rauvolfia serpentina'' is a popular folk medicine for diabetes and high blood pressure. It also has tranquilizing properties and is used as an antipsychotic drug, for curing schizophrenia and against snakebites.

Sandalwood is an economically important plant and has been cultivated for several centuries for the fragrance of its oil. Due to extensive and sometimes, illegal cutting of native Sandalwood trees, this species has become vulnerable to extinction. ''S. album'' is native to South/South-East Asia, possibly Indonesia. Another species ''Santalum spicatum'' is native to Australia.

''Terminalia chebula'' is a tree native to North East India and Indo-Burma region. The tree yields a fruit which has an abrasive seed but a fleshy pulp. The plant is highly regarded in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. The seed, called "Harda" or Kala Namak in Hindi, is also used in Indian cooking. (Source:Wikipedia)

plants of this species are found globally from Tropical Africa to Myanmar. In India, it is found throughout the plains and in the dry hills of the lower Himalayas . It uses as medicine dats back to sixth century before Christ, e.g; Oxymel of Squill, used for coughs, was invented by Pythagoras.

''Zingiber officinale'' or Ginger is a plant native to India. India is the largest producer of ginger, accounting for 30% of the world production. It is closely related to Turmeric and Cardamom. Ginger is widely used in India and around the world in cooking and for medicinal purposes.